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ROOTS
The Bakhshi Family of Kauntrila

A Book Review by MANJYOT KAUR

 

THE BAKHSHI FAMILY OF KAUNTRILA, by Kanwal Nain Singh Bakshi. Published in association with Hemkunt Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, 2005. 212 pages.

 

My present-day blood family is quite a small one; my knowledge of its past generations is equally limited. Once beyond the names of my mother's mother's mother and my mother's father's father, the distant branches of my ancestral tree quickly fade into obscurity.

Whether they came at the turn of the 20th century, escaping the tyranny of Czarist Russia, or arrived from Eastern Europe several decades later, fleeing the Nazi Holocaust, all my forebears who "made the crossing" found New York City to be a most welcome haven. At Ellis Island, they willingly jettisoned the burdensome baggage of their Old World names in exchange for American-sounding substitutes, and eagerly adopted the language and customs of their new land.

So, studying the tongues our antecedents heard, or traveling to see the streets and fields their feet trod, was, at worst, considered tantamount to treasonous ingratitude to the country that had given us so much; at best, it was deemed a waste of time. Why should we want to mimic the speech of those who had oppressed us, or walk on earth soaked with our people's blood? What good could looking back possibly do? Better to let the past pass and think about the present and the future.

I must admit to having absorbed this attitude to a great degree, whether in a conscious or unconscious way. As an integral part of this mindset, the subject of genealogy also never really enticed me, never really held any special appeal.

Well, dear readers, you might be surprised to hear how much I thoroughly enjoyed Kanwal Nain Singh's book! For to call it "an in-depth genealogical work" would be a gross understatement, indeed!

Its sheer magnitude is astonishing. It is nothing short of a monumental achievement, stretching out in multiple directions: laterally within the same generation, as well as far back in time. It is a wide-open window on a past that is in danger of being forgotten entirely, or of only being visible through the skewed lenses and cobwebby interpretations of historians.

It makes Sikh history and heritage  -  our trials and triumphs through the centuries  -  come convincingly, magnificently alive.

It truly exemplifies a "labor of love".

Kanwal Singh's interest in genealogy certainly seems to be a genetically inculcated one. In his Preface, he speaks of his father, Hardit Singh, who, in 1940, published a "pedigree chart" of the Bakhshi family, based largely on the information available in Chiefs of Punjab, a book researched by Sir Lepel Griffin in 1865, and updated by the Government of Punjab in 1939. Of course, great changes have taken place since then, as Partition geographically disunited the clan, dispersing them to different parts of what became northern India.

The author explains how he updated what his father had compiled, adding a descriptive history of the heads of the families in each generation, as well as photographs and testimonials from some of its scores of members.

While doing the intensive work this towering tome entailed, the author, in order to facilitate the examination of massive amounts of historical records, naturally concentrated his attention on the descendants of the clan that bears the name of Bakhshi. Even though this harks back to the use of caste/clan names in the past, and the nature of this usage has changed in recent times, it is important to note that his valuable research could not have been accomplished without using this root focal point as a necessary vehicle.

As the author's exhaustive (and exhausting, too, I am sure!) efforts had the wonderful dividend of leading him to personally discover many previously unknown family offshoots, the Preface declares this very chardhi kalaa  - filled aim for the book: that it will not only cause the Bakhshis of today to become a closer, more tightly-knit unit, but that all its readers, regardless of ethnic background, will use it as a starting point to identify and communicate with their own living relatives.

Several sections, composed of various historical notes, charts, and other documentation, including information on the Rajputs and the Chiefs of Punjab, follow the Preface. They are quite useful in situating the sprawling Bakhshi genealogy within a specific context of time and location, although, according to the author, its exact ancestry remains difficult to ascribe to a particular race or tribe.

Before about 1800, when the Bakhshis came to Kauntrila, many family members lived in the Sialkot area; others dwelled near Peshawar and Kabul. It is believed that the first antecedents of the clan may have migrated from the desert areas of Rajputana during the fifteenth century. However, as will be described in greater detail later in the book, what has indeed been clearly established is that the family converted to Sikhi during the time of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru.

A very touching entry of the author's personal diary comes next. It was recorded in February 2001, during his visit to his ancestral village of Kauntrila, located in the county of Gujarkhan in the Rawalpindi district of what is now Pakistan. Anyone that has ever made a trip back to "the old neighborhood" and found it much changed, could easily identify with his sentiments. Here is one excerpt:

"I was escorted around the village and the 'uchi mari' building, which was showing the ravages of time. The 'uchi mari' did not seem so uchi (tall) now. It was cracking at various places and there was no maintenance ever done. [...] The street going to our 'dhera' was closed up. I was very disappointed. The buildings had been razed for bricks and the wood. There was no way to approach the original property site to see even the remnants of the old buildings. I felt very sad. [...] The whole village now looked so small, although in my memories as a child, it was fairly big".

A "Gazetteer" begins the next segment of the book. On one hand, it is a straightforward alphabetical list of the names and birth years of this awesomely vast family. However, there is a genuinely moving aspect to it, as well. A prime example of this can be found under the "Ds", where a grandson of the author, born in 1993, shares space with his oldest forebear, who preceded him by four-and-a-half centuries.

No less than twenty-six impressively complex pages of family trees then follow. Of course, they necessitated the author's devising of an elaborate numeration system to classify the intricate web of relationships.

For example: the eldest son of the lineage's fourteenth (and latest) generation receives the notation " G14.c2.5.4.1". Going backwards, the reader can see that the father of this firstborn (i.e.,1) person was the fourth child (4), and his grandfather was the fifth son (5) of this particular family head (c2).

Then, in what may be considered the main section of this work, we accompany the author on his time-travels, as he masterfully leads us through centuries of Sikh history, highlighting a plethora of intriguing personages along the way, in a series of fascinating profiles.

The primordial founder of this immense network, aptly called "G1", was Durbari Shah (circa 1545-1603). As we can immediately note, the family was associated with Sikhi right from the start of its genealogy: this first recorded ancestor was so greatly influenced by the teachings of the fifth Sikh preceptor, Guru Arjan, that he developed close ties with the Guru's inner circle. This was carried forward by Durbari Shah's son, Dianat Rai, who, in turn, became a devoted disciple of Guru Arjan's son, Guru Hargobind. It was during Dianat Rai's lifetime that the family formally embraced Sikhi.

Upon obtaining the blessings of Guru Hargobind, Dianat Rai was given three keepsakes: a pothi (manuscript devotional book), a bairagan (an armrest used as a support during prayer or meditation), and a pair of sandals. These items, naturally, assumed a revered status for the family and were passed on from generation to generation through the firstborn son, until they were tragically destroyed in a fire in 1946.

It is during the lifetime of Durbari Shah's grandson's grandson, Bakhshi Lajja Singh (born around 1720), that the name of "Bakhshi" first surfaces. Lajja Singh received this appellation as an honorary title, in the course of his distinguished service to Ahmed Shah Abdali, the self-proclaimed king of Afghanistan. As we can obviously see, "Bakhshi" has tenaciously clung to his descendants as a family name, right up until the present day.

Besides being the first "Bakhshi", it is noteworthy that Lajja was also the first "Singh" in the family lineage.

Numerous descendants of Bakhshi Lajja Singh served under Maharajah Ranjit Singh, and during the post-Ranjit Singh period, until the annexation of Punjab by the British in 1849.

Gohar Singh, Bakhshi Lajja Singh's eldest grandson, was born in 1777. It is during his lifetime, circa 1800, that the family migrated to their seat at Kauntrila, and it is his direct offspring that make up the bulk of the rest of the book. While some of them rose to prominence in the police and other government services, many others pursued brilliant army careers.

One of these scions was the illustrious Jagat Singh, whose portrait graces the book's cover. Like his father, Hari Singh, who fought under Maharajahs Ranjit Singh and Sher Singh, Jagat Singh excelled in the military profession. A member of the renowned Bengal Lancers, he was decorated numerous times for his gallantry, receiving the title of "Sardar Bahadur" and "The Order of British India, First Class".

The author notes the interesting fact that, because of the extraordinary nature of Jagat Singh's martial exploits, army rules were bent to allow him to wear a flowing, untied beard, which better suited his exuberant personality.

His eldest son, Jaswant Singh, as well as his eldest grandson, Avtar Singh, also held the prestigious title of "Sardar Bahadur" and earned the "Order of British India, First Class", completing three generations with glorious service records.

A photo of Major Bakhshi Avtar Singh, his chest impressively bedecked with medals, in genial conversation with Air Chief Marshall Arjan Singh, helps to bring the history of this prominent line of the family closer to our own present times. Avtar Singh lived to the ripe old age of 101; when this book was published, his widow, Sardarni Partap Kaur, was the seniormost living lady of the Bakhshi family.

During the time of Partition, the Bakhshis, like millions of others, were deprived of their homes and properties, and became scattered in various parts of northern India.

At this point in the historical record, post-1947, the lives of family members naturally start to take on a decidedly modern-day tone. They become jet pilots, executives in high-tech corporations, and various other contemporary occupations, often obtaining MBAs and other advanced degrees from American universities. Although numerous descendants remained in India, with many of them pursuing distinguished careers in the time-honored family occupation of soldiering, we now see others begin to establish roots in North America.

Among the latter is the book's author himself, who immigrated to Canada in 1968. Familiarly known as Ken, he and his wife, Vickramjit Kaur (Vicky), are both happily retired from the teaching profession. They live in Ontario, as do their four children and four grandchildren.

And so, the saga continues, into the 21st century, and the 14th generation of Bakhshis!

Admittedly, upon initial perusal, it might be all too easy to put this book aside. A staggering sequence of lists and charts, as well as an array of black-and-white photos, many of them dimmed with the years, are the first things that may meet the eyes of the curious beholder. It is true that a few of the seemingly endless dates don't jibe exactly. Yes, there are typographical errors that have managed to sneak in.

But, while some of the people in its pages are indeed glorious, the tone in which the author describes them is never self-glorifying. And, while some of their exploits might sound truly fabulous, they are anything but fables. It is of immeasurable benefit to the Sikh community, as well as to "the world at large", that such an amazingly assiduous record has been so painstakingly created.

So, dear readers, whether you are young or not-so-young, Sikh or non-Sikh, it is my firm belief that you would find this tome a treasure! But while I sincerely wish that this review has stoked your appetite for acquiring the book, I am afraid I must inform you that, unfortunately, immediate gratification of this urge will be well-nigh impossible.

The publication of this work was a "private adventure" the author embarked upon, with a limited number of copies printed solely for the benefit of his own relatives. I would, therefore, strongly suggest that Kanwal Nain Singh give serious thought to republishing this book, for the purposes of wider circulation.

I also hope that reading about this marvelous work has awakened your own nascent desire, or encouraged an existing interest you may have, of delving into your personal family histories and  -  why not?  -  perhaps even considering the possibility of making the results of your explorations available in some way to a public audience, as well.

Conversation about this article

1: Tejwant (U.S.A.), August 06, 2007, 1:08 PM.

Family tree is a misnomer. It is actually a family orchard, filled with fruit-giving trees, most of them pruned by their ancestors. When we look at our family orchards, it leaves us with great pride that we are reaping the fruits of the seeds planted by our foreparents. What Kanwal Singh and his Dad Hardit Singh did is something wonderful. They transported the footprints usually left on the sand and cemented them onto solid grounds before they could get swept away by the waves of time, so that the coming generations of Bakhshis could use them as Mapquest in their own journeys.

2: Harinder (Pune, India), August 06, 2007, 2:10 PM.

What a masterpiece! Would love to see more books like Kanwal Nain Singh's ... and read more articles like this one.

3: Tejwant (U.S.A.), August 06, 2007, 8:59 PM.

Manjyot (love your name!): It is interesting to note from this frank and poignant article of yours, how the environment of the times made your ancestors ignore family trees, or rather uproot them, perhaps to be re-planted one day ... in distant lands to which they escaped, in order to find solace, and to plant the seeds of freedom that they always desired and fought for. And the flip side is of the ancestors of the Sikhs who were uprooted from their ancestral lands during the partition. They did not escape. They were pushed out. Many were raped, marauded and brutalized. Those that survived were left with meagre possessions. The home was their domain that was snatched from under their feet, not in days, but in hours and minutes. This story is not unique to a few households. It resonates in the Sikh psyche. This is the reason perhaps why Sikhs want to jump into the time machine and explore what happened and why and where. We all know by whom. Maybe, one day, you will be able to look back, far away from the recent past that made your ancestors escape and create a mosaic of your own family, and share the light shining through it.

4: Rehmat Kaur (Maner, India), August 07, 2007, 3:47 AM.

This is a perfect example of the type of research that urgently needs to be done, and meticulously recorded, in so many different areas of our history. If detailed and thorough, calm and unemotional, objective and independent, the final product is of universal interest, and of benefit to all.

5: Gurpal Singh (Wolverhampton, U.K.), August 10, 2007, 4:46 AM.

Wonderful stuff! The only thing that really surprised me is that Bakshi Lajja Singh served one Ahmed Shah Abdali, Afghan, murderer of tens of thousands of Sikhs and desecrator of Harmandar Sahib.

6: Naz (Neela) Bakshi (Canada), August 10, 2007, 5:42 PM.

I'd like to congratulate my father for producing such an excellent record of our family history. I know that it took a lot of work over quite a few years, and I'm very proud to know my history. Future generations of our families born in Canada will thus have a reference book, when it comes to researching their own heritage. Can't wait to read your memoir, Dad!

7: F.B. Ali (Toronto, Canada), August 10, 2007, 5:43 PM.

As someone who is privileged to call Kanwal Nain (Ken) a friend, I am very glad that his family history has not only been reviewed here, but given its due as a fine labour of love and scholarship. Readers of this review will be glad to know of the high regard and great affection in which Ken is held by those who know him in his new country. Truly a remarkable man, and a fitting heir to the Bakhshi family traditions. His book is a great achievement, and should encourage others to delve into the past history of their respective families.

8: Pritpal Singh (Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.A.), August 10, 2007, 8:11 PM.

It has been my privilege to go through this book. Kanwal Nain (Ken) has done a wonderful job in tracing the history of earlier generations and compiling the information in one book. This is definitely going to be a valuable reference book, especially since members of the Bakhshi families have scattered all over the world. Kanwal deserves compliments for the labour of love put by him in bringing out this work.

9: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada), August 10, 2007, 10:11 PM.

It is very flattering to note that viewers of sikhchic.com have taken so much interest in my geneological study. It is not only a devotional research but could well be a legacy for the future generations who will be born in North America. It is an effort worth making by the descendants of all settlers of this continent. I am currently engaged in writing my biography and shall welcome suggestions from the readers.

10: Artika Bakshi (Sri Lanka), August 12, 2007, 1:15 PM.

It is most undoubtedly a "labour of love" and we are all greatful to Kanwal Tayaji for it. I have just got to know that a biography is on it's way and I eagerly await the publication. All the best, Tayaji!

11: Prabhjot Singh Bakshi (Gurgaon, India), August 12, 2007, 2:01 PM.

To accomplish writing a book is commendable. To write a geneology is another ball game. To write about so many generations who have scattered all around the globe and to gather information about each family member is a herculean task and I must say that my uncle, Ken Bakshi has done an amazing job of putting together this book which was really his baby. It goes without saying how proud we in the family are of Uncle Ken for having taught and reminded us of our ancestors and connecting us with our long lost cousins. I was also privileged in being able to attend the launch of his book. I wish him well in his future writings.

12: Aneesha Bakshi (Delhi, India), August 14, 2007, 4:33 AM.

This book was published a couple of months after I got married. As a new member, it was a very helpful guide in getting aquainted with the family and its history. The enormity of the task that Kanwal Tayaji undertook to write this book is evident to all who have read it. In today's age, when we meet our relations only once in a blue moon, the fact that he, while residing in Canada, has managed to trace and contact the various branches of the family is truly a great accomplishment. I also had the pleasure of being present at the launch of his book. I look forward to his future projects, especially his biography, and wish him the very best for the same.

13: Maninder Singh Bakshi (Sri Lanka), August 25, 2007, 2:37 AM.

Reading comments made by others only corroborates the amount of time and effort that has culminated in such a publication. Since my immediate family lives abroad and our two juniors have a healthy appetite for "questions", the book has helped go a long way to demonstrate to them our pride in being Sikhs and descendants of this clan. Thank you, Tayaji.

14: Jang Bahadur Singh Bakshi (London, U.K.), October 05, 2007, 8:56 PM.

Does your family have any link with Sardar Bahadur Chanda Singh's family from Ghuata, Rawalpindi?

15: Jang Bahadur Singh Bakshi (London, UK), November 01, 2007, 7:04 PM.

Yes, Sardar Bahadar Chanda Singh was my great grandfather from Ghuata, Rawalpindi. He was awarded an OBI. My father's name was Sardar Harnam Sngh and my grandfather's name was Sardar Santokh Singh ... the latter had four brothers and a sister.

16: Rabnawaz (Kauntrila, Tehsil Gujar Khan, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan), November 06, 2007, 7:02 AM.

Off and on, I have checked the name of my village (Kauntrila) on the net to see if there has been anything written about my village, and to date I've been disappointed. But today, when I did my usual google, I was pleasantly surprised to see something on the Bakhshi family of Kauntrila. Thank you very much for writing and remembering the village. It was a town, not a village, before Partition, and the people of different religions used to live in harmony with each other. I have also heard many stories from my grandfather. However, if it possible, please send me your e-mail and also tell me more about your parents and yourself. I'll be glad to send you pictures of Uchi Maari.

17: Hafeez Akhtar Mohra Mir (Kauntrila, Tehsil Gujar Khan, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan), November 10, 2007, 6:20 AM.

Uchi Mari was a very beautiful palace in Kauntrila. Whenever I used to pass it, I would think about the person who built it. S. Kanwal Nain Singh, can you tell me about the history of Uchi Mari, because many questions around the construction of such a huge palace remain in my mind. Also, have you had contact with other people who have been lived in Kauntrila and have fond memories of their native village?

18: Azher Bhatti (London, England), April 09, 2008, 10:46 AM.

S. Kanwal Nain Singh ji: I was very happy to read about the beautiful village of Kauntrila. My mother lived near the beautiful Uchi Marri. I would love to learn more about the history of Kauntrila. Thanks.

19: Satbir Singh Bakshi (Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.), April 09, 2008, 5:48 PM.

Excellent work. Thank you. My grandfather's name was Rai Bahadar Tirath Singh.

20: Satbir Bakshi (Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.), April 10, 2008, 9:16 AM.

Ken: The full text of my note did not come through. As a Sikh Bakhshi, I wanted to know if there is a family relationship. My grandfather's name was Rai Bahadar Tirath Singh Bakshi. He was known as the dacoit hunter of Chambal. Populaly known as Bubba. I would also like to know if this book is available in the U.S.A.

21: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada), May 02, 2008, 9:40 PM.

With reference to the enquiry by Satbir Singh, I have known Bubba, who lived in Dholpur state in Madya Pardesh, and had retired as I.G.Police of Dholpur state, during 1930-40 era. His son, Gurdit Singh, succeeded him as Police Chief. Gurdit Singh's wife, Sardarni Kulwant Kaur Bakshi, was my aunt(my father's sister). She passed away at Mumbai a few years ago at the ripe age of 94. I had the pleasure of interviewing her at Mumbai. Should any more connections be requied, you may contact with me. I shall arrange to get you a copy of the book.

22: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada), May 02, 2008, 10:42 PM.

Re the letter from Hafeez Akhtar of Kauntrila, dated Nov 10,2007, and from Azhar Bhatti of London, dated April 9, 2008: Your interest in 'Uchi Marri', the famous landmark of Kauntrila, is understandable. It indeed was a most imposing building of its time. There were a few more brick buildings around 'Uchi Maari' which were built by the Bakhshi family members. One of these was by a well known 'hakim', who was famous for yunani formulations which were distributed free to the natives of Kauntrila. His name was Bakhshi Bachittar Singh. 'Uchi Marri' was infact built by Bakhshi Ram Singh, who was an executive engineer. He was an earlier graduate from Thompson Engineering College, from during Britsh Raj period. He was also an Associate with the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. His name is sculpted atop the building's front entry. I visited the building in 2002. The Bakhshi family inhabited Kauntrila from the 1750's. One of the family members was a magistrate at Rawalpindi and later at Gujranwala and Delhi. He was also the founder of the first school in Kauntrila. Bakhshi Avtar Singh, who fought in the First World War in Iraq, made his first modern bungalow in Kauntrila, a building which is now not in very good repair, and is functioning as the Patwari's office. If Mr Bhatti's mother used to live close to 'Uchi Marri', she must be familiar with these personalities of Kauntrila. Incidently, Bakhshi Avtar Singh, was well known as the recruiting officer for 'jawans' during the Second World War. There were a number of recruits from Kauntrila. As a young boy, I played around 'Uchi Maari' quite frequently. For more information, please feel free to contact me at: 52 Colborne St.W., Lindsay,Ontario K9V 3S9, Canada.

23: Babneet Singh (Delhi, India), March 12, 2009, 11:29 AM.

Sat Sri Akaal to everyone. I am also a part of the Bakshi family and I have the full family chart with me which has the names of all the members since 1600 A.D.

24: Munazzam Ali (Kauntrila, Gujarkhan, Punjab, Pakistan), June 01, 2009, 10:38 AM.

Can you tell me more about the history of Uchi Mari, because many questions around the construction of such a huge palace remain in my mind. Also, have you had contact with other people who have been lived in Kauntrila and have fond memories of their native village?

25: Munazzam Ali (Kauntrila, Gujarkhan, Pakistan), June 03, 2009, 8:21 AM.

Also, I live in Kauntrila and I can be contacted at cell # 92.333.557.0008.

26: Alveena Bakhshi (New York, U.S.A.), August 13, 2009, 3:53 PM.

I saw your reference to Bubba in one of the posts; he is my great grand father. His son, Sardar Ranbir Singh settled in Patiala where my parents still live. As my son gets ready to study History in college, I would love to get a copy of the book you have written. And where can I refer folks to buy a copy? Thank you so much for the great effort. It is a labour of love very few undertake.

27: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada), August 15, 2009, 11:14 PM.

Reference Laveena Bakshi: I am glad to see your comments of August 13, 2009. It is good to discover yet another Bakshi in New York. By the way, are you related to Satbir Singh Bakshi of South Carolina? You may communicate with me at kenwal@sympatico.ca, or 705-324-9366 for further connections.

28: Shenny (Japan), September 09, 2009, 7:33 PM.

I would like to know where in Mumbai can I find this book. I want to get it for a friend, she wants 5 copies.

29: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada), September 28, 2009, 9:54 PM.

Re: Shenny from Japan. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of your interest in the book. I wish I had spare copies to meet your need. But may I refer you to P.S.Bakshi at C.1/2911 Sushant Lok (I), Gurgaon, Haryana, India. Tel: 91-98-1042-5896. This gentleman probably could have some in stock. Should you not get a positive reponse, please contact me at kenwal@sympatico.ca or at postal address 52 Colborne St.W., Lindsay, Ontario, Canada K9V 3S9. I will also check with Hemkunt Press who published the book in New Delhi, India.

30: Manjit Singh Bakhshi (Ontario, Canada), October 10, 2009, 5:46 PM.

Just came across this, apparently the book is a great body of work and I cannot wait to get my hands on it (please advise where I can obtain a copy in Toronto). Especially, being the son of a Bakhshi from Kauntrila, I would like to know as much as there is in the book and perhaps get to meet some of the Bakhshi clan here in Ontario. My father, Bakhshi Jaswant Singh, held many important offices in the Indian Government from the time of Partition but none more important than as a great family head who lead us solely by example. Looking forward to hear from more Bakhshis.

31: Prakriti Bakshi Sachdev (Pune, India), October 15, 2009, 2:48 PM.

I have been recently blessed with a daughter, Anahat, who is now 4 months old. I would love to add her name to the book. I am granddaughter of Bakshi Lal Singh and the daughter of his youngest son, Col. Tejinder Singh Bakshi. Also, the name of my brother given as Parmar is actually Pranav and that of my husband given as Manmohan is actually Maninder. I would request you that if you do edit this book sometime, please do add the information given. I would love to help out if some work regarding the book needs to be done.

32: Kanwal Nain Singh (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada.), October 21, 2009, 11:44 AM.

This refers to letters from Manjit Singh Bakhshi, Ontario, Canada, and from Prakriti in Pune, India. 1) I have noted the family head, Bakhshi Jaswant Singh. I shall be glad to hear more from you to make addenda to the genealogy book. Please give particulars of your family. 2) I am glad to hear from Prakriti about the addition to her family. I have noted the corrections in the names of your brother, and your husband. These shall be amended subsequently. The two writers may please establish contact with the writer at kenwal@sympatico.ca or at 52 Colborne St. W., Lindsay, Ontario, Canada K9V 3S9 or tel: 705.324.9366

33: Amit Raj Singh Bakshi (India), March 15, 2010, 8:38 AM.

I just came across this site and wish to introduce myself as son of Devinder Singh Bakshi and grandson of Bakshi Lal Singh. I also wish to register name of my wife, Diksha Raj Bakshi and my son, Aryan Raj Bakshi. I may be contacted at arbakshI@gmail.com.

34: Manjit Singh Bakhshi (Oakville, Ontario, Canada), January 16, 2011, 10:38 PM.

Hello K.N.S. Just read your reply of Oct 21, 2009. In brief, My father S. Jaswant Singh Bakhshi of Kauntrila went to high school in Sukho, had 2 Master's degrees from Govt. College, Lahore in 1930 by the age of 21, went on to become India's first Controller of Iron & Steel in 1947 and held other important positions thereafter till he retired. I shall send more details later. I also look forward to initiate further contact with you in March (I am preparing to go overseas currently).

35: Gurparkash Singh Bakshi (Ambala City, India), May 06, 2011, 7:37 AM.

Can you help me find an old photograph of our family?

36: Rab Nawaz (Manchester, England), February 06, 2012, 9:12 AM.

My parents and I belong to Kauntrila. I acknowledge that Uchi Mahal was the best building in the town before Partition. We have been using it as a school. I was in Class 6 at the school. I would like to help renovate and preserve the building. Looking for your guidance in this regard.

37: Rabnawaz Rasheed Bhatti (Manchester, United Kingdom), August 16, 2012, 8:42 AM.

Sardar ji, I love the "unchi mari" of your family. But now it is falling apart, because there's no one to look after it. I would like to restore it with the cooperation of some philanthropists. Can you help?

38: Umarjit Singh Bedi (Berkshire, United Kingdom), October 21, 2012, 12:19 PM.

I have a copy of your book given to me by my mother Gurpreet Kaur Bedi, D/o S. Bakshi Gopal Singh. I really enjoyed reading the book and have gone through it a number of times.

39: Babneet Singh (Delhi, India), February 13, 2013, 3:51 AM.

I need two copies of the book. Where can I find the same?

40: Sohail (Birmingham, United Kingdom), June 14, 2015, 10:05 PM.

I was born in Kauntrila. Now I'm in the UK. We are very prod of your family. I think I spoke with Bakhshi Sahib once.

41: Amarjit Singh Bakshi (Katy, Houston, Texas, USA), September 15, 2015, 9:33 PM.

I am grandson of S. Basant Singh (my father's name is S. Sangat Singh) and brother Of S. Harkirat Singh and Jagtaran Singh and we have a sister whose name is Swareshpal Kaur. My son's name Is Shaman Singh and daughter Simran Kaur. You have done a great job but it will be nice to unite the clan in North America if it can be done. I come from the family which constitutes one branch, but there are so many distant relatives. Close to my heart is my uncle S. Gopal Singh who was married to Charanjit Kaur (daughter of Bakshi Lal Singh of Bijnor). I believe you come from that that part of the clan. I might give you a call one of these days but I do not know all the details of the family but had seen the chart with names all the way to my brothers Harkirat Singh and Jagtaran Singh. Both of my brothers have passed away in the last few years. Harkirat Singh had one son and a daughter; the son is in Chandigarh and his name is Pushpinder Singh. Jagtaran Singh also had one son and a daughter; the son's nickname is Raja and he is working in Gurgaon at present. Look forward to talking to you one of these days. A great job and lot of work indeed. Best regards Amarjit Singh Bakshi

42: Raja Waqar Akbar  (Kauntrila, Gujarkhan, Pakistan), December 12, 2016, 3:23 PM.

Sardar ji: I belong to Mohra Mari which is near Kauntrila and my ancestors were famous Rajputs of this area. A few names to mention: Capt Haryasab and Sub Raja Nazar Muhammad Khan MC. All these people lived peacefully with the Bakhshis and Kauntrila was a major trading hub since ancient history. I remember, while I was in Class 3 or Class 4, the Bakhshi family came to see their place and distributed some gifts among students in the Government High School. Please let me know if you are interested, we can launch some social services for the people around here and renovate these historical buildings, at our own as well.

43: Manjit Singh Bakhshi (Oakville, Ontario, Canada), January 25, 2017, 6:44 PM.

To add to comments # 30,32 & 34 above, here's some information for anyone trying to link together a family tree. Before I start with the information, we had 40 plus members, 4 generations together, from across the globe in Chandigarh to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday, having four days and nights of celebration at the Park Plaza hotel where everyone had checked in. To continue with family tree info: My grandfather was Bakhshi Ram Singh, a young well educated official, a Patwari based in Kauntrilla, to 1915 approximately till the time of his ill-timed death due to feuding landlords. His widow Dropti Devi continued to live with her children in Kauntrilla till much later. Their oldest was Avtar Singh (Defence services accountant) who had three sons, Gurcharan Singh (deceased, was in Min of Industry, New Delhi), Saranjit Singh (New Delhi), youngest Khushwant Singh, New Delhi, businessman. Their 2nd child was a daughter, a teacher, who had three sons, oldest was Harbans Singh Mehta, stock broker, and the President of Delhi Stock Exchange in the 1950's/60's. Next were Bhagwant Singh Mehta (New Delhi) and Dhaninder Singh Mehta (Jagadhari). Ram Singh's youngest son was my father Jaswant Singh, married to Ajit Kaur (90+ years old, she lives in Chandigarh, Punjab). He held senior civil service positions from the 1940's to 1967 in Calcutta and New Delhi, retired and moved to Chandigarh and set up an industry in Himachal Pradesh. He had 7 kids: Harvinder (Hivi) Singh (Chandigarh, retired Industrialist), two kids in UK, Ashwinder Singh and Daisy Kaur Johar; Narpinder (Nippy), married to Lali Madan, Calcutta Industrialist, three kids, Shikha Katiyal (Chandigarh), Jubeet Singh (Austin) and Rushvir Singh Madan (Calcutta); next is Ruby married to Pali Ahuja, settled in Montreal, two sons, Juno and Rovic; next is myself, Manjit Singh (ex economist and currently having diverse business interests), am married to Trishtinder Kaur, settled in Oakville, Canada since the 1980's -- we have three university educated children, Diyaa, Asees and Hansjit; next is Jasbir (Itto) married to Tejinder Ugal, retired from Panjab Sind Bank, have two kids, Taranvir & Arpan (Ugal). NainJot married to Late Harminder Pal Singh of Singapore, lives with son Harshpal in Singapore. Aand finally Aupam (Pinky) living with her two kids Anjit and Jitin in Pune / Mumbai. As a side note, as told to me by educated elders in the family, "Bakhshi" is a title to be used before the name, a prefix, and that is how it was always used. It was passed down to generations, as oldest son in the Bakhshi family was always given a position in the revenue department / ministry, but all the children carried the name Bakhshi as a prefix. It was a very honorable title. It is hence not a surname. However when new name recording methods were introduced, there was no room to have four words, so Bakhshi families dropped the real last name in favour of Bakhshi, as no one know their last name. They had always been addressed as Bakhshi's. For example until the new name system was adopted in India, my father wrote his name as Bakhshi Jaswant Singh Ghura, Ghura being our last name. Incidentally, very few Ghura families exist; their numbers have dwindled sharply.

44: Sharanveer Singh Bakhshi (Dubai, UAE), April 30, 2017, 4:38 PM.

I belong to the same family from Kauntrilla. I have the printed genealogical table which I received from my granmother Savitri Devi, wife of Sardar Sardar Singh, who was the son of Sardar Basant Singh. Both the names are there in the chart. I would like to establish contact and update our family chart.

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The Bakhshi Family of Kauntrila"









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